There are so many different stories as to causes of acne.. and the FACTS show that they are just that.. stories. Here are the facts.

COMMON ACNE MYTHS:
~Acne is caused by poor hygiene.
This is not true, and if you spend time vigorously washing and scrubbing your face too much you could actually CAUSE acne..Acne is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils building up. the best way to keep your skin clean and as acne free as possible..Gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap, and use treatment as directed if you do have acne.

~Popping your pimples is the best way to get rid of them.
Some people think that popping your zits will make them less noticeable and help them heal faster, but they're wrong. Picking or popping your pimples pushes germs further under your skin, which could cause more redness, pain, and maybe even a nasty infection. And popping zits can lead to scarring, which could last forever.

~Acne is caused by diet.
Extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. What this means is there are no chocolate, or other sugary or high fat content food that will cause acne or make acne worse. Its not generally a bad thing to maintain a healthy diet to avoid other problems, but they do not affect acne, though some sware that it does.

~Getting a tan clears up acne.
Baking in the sun does nothing to improve your acne. When you spend time outside and your skin becomes darker, the redness caused by acne may be less noticeable for a little while. But when your tan fades, you'll still see it

~Acne is caused by stress.
The only way that any type of stress can be a factor of acne problems, is if you have severe stress problems that you are taking medication for, where acne may be a possible side affect of the medication itself.

~Acne is just a cosmetic condition.
Acne does affect the way people look, and can sometimes cause some pain where it occurs, but is not otherwise a serious threat to a person's physical health, though it can leave scarring.. But, it can have dramatic affects on self confidence, as well as has been known to cause a mental condition that can cause a person to harm oneself, called acne dysmorphia.

~Acne is an infection.
Acne is a skin disorder caused by a combination of factors, including hormones and genetics.

~Only teenagers have acne.
People from all ages and of either sex can get acne, the fact the it seems a normal part of puberty, has fooled some some into thinking that after your teen years, your no longer susceptible.. thats false

~Sex and masturbation can lead to acne.
This is an age-old MYTH!. Although the sex hormone testosterone is a major cause of acne, whether or not you engage in any sexual act has no effect on acne and definitely doesn't cause it.

~You just have to let acne run its course.
Not true, you should try to eliminate acne with over the counter treatments. If it doesn't seem to clear up within the time frame given with treatment instructions, you may consider seeing a dermatologist.

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